Ballin (1879-1956) was a writer, stage designer, movie producer, and director in addition to being a painter. Born in New York City, Ballin studied art at the Art Student's League, then in Paris, Rome, and Florence, before moving to Los Angeles in 1921 to work for Samuel Goldwyn as an art director. In 1913 he did a mural in the Wisconsin state capitol building in Madison. He temporarily gave up painting to direct and produce more than 100 silent films, including Jane Eyre. He also wrote four successful novels and designed the commemorative medallion for the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. Ballin returned to painting when talking pictures began in the late 1920s.
